Start Yachting
The Start Yachting Course provides a short introduction for novices to sail cruising. Sail Badachro is a recognised RYA training centre.
Start yachting – RYA accredited course
Start Yachting
We all have to start somewhere. The Start Yachting Course provides a short introduction for novices to sail cruising. At the end of the course you will have the knowledge to enable you to be safe on board and understand the basics of sailing and being a crew member.
| Pre-course experience | None |
| Assumed knowledge | None |
| Minimum duration | 2 Days |
| Minimum age | None (under 16’s must be accompanied) |
| Course content | The yacht, ropework, underway, rules of the road, man overboard recovery, clothing and equipment, emergency equipment and precautions, meteorology. |
Competent Crew
The Competent Crew Course provides a progression from Start Yachting, although can also be undertaken by those with no or little experience. At the end of the course you will have an understanding of the role of crew on a yacht and have practical experience of all the jobs expected for you to become a safe, proactive and valuable member of the crew.
Day Skipper
Skippering a yacht is a significant responsibility. The course will help you develop skills and knowledge that will enable you to take a vessel to sea confidently and safely, ensuring the welfare of your crew and vessel on short passages in daylight hours.
Coastal Skipper
This course is for those with good knowledge of sailing and navigation (often gained through the RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster theory course) who wish to develop their skills and experience to undertake coastal passages during the day and night.
Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation and Exam
This course is for those with considerable knowledge and experience of skippering vessels with significant sea time who wish to undertake the Certificate of Competence at Yachtmaster offshore or Coastal level. The certificate of Competence allows candidates, should they wish, to apply for their certification to be “Commercially” endorsed enabling them to use their qualification professionally. (This does have additional requirements which can be viewed here).
There is no formal syllabus for this course, but the five days of preparation will focus on areas that candidates identify through self-assessment. The final two days will be spent with the examiner on board putting candidates through their paces.
The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations), meteorology and signals. You will be set tasks to demonstrate your ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster™ Coastal level.
The difference between the Coastal and Offshore Exam is in the complexity of tasks and situations candidates will be asked to perform.
Find out more about our Yachtmaster Coastal Exam Preparation Course
Find out more about our Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Preparation Course
Find out more about our Start Yachting course:
Start Yachting Syllabus
This course provides a short introduction to sail cruising for novices. By the end of the course, students will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board.
1. The Yacht
Basic Knowledge of sea terms, parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
2. Ropework
Ability to tie the following knots: figure of eight, round turn and two half hitches, bowline
3. Underway
Has experienced sailing a yacht on all points of sail
Can steer a yacht under sail or power
4. Rules of the road
Can keep an efficient look out at sea
5. Meteorology
Knows where to obtain a weather forecast
6. Man overboard recovery
Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard
7. Clothing and equipment
Understands and complies with the rules for the wearing of safety harnesses’, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids
8. Emergency equipment and precautions
Is aware of hazards on board a yacht
Knows the action to be taken in the event of an emergency
Download the RYA Start Sailing Syllabus (opens in a new tab).
Terms & Conditions and Booking Forms to download
All forms and documents are Word documents
What our customers say
“The 5 days that I spent with Tom was honestly one of the best sailing/learning experiences I have had. It has renewed my confidence and love for sailing and I look forward to doing more courses and spending more time on La Girafe III.“
“I was made to feel very welcome right from the start. I would thoroughly recommend doing your Day Skipper with these guys, I not only really enjoyed the experience, I came ashore at the end desperate to book my next trip.”
“The sailing was a real treat, including learning the key skills. As well as the great coastal scenery, there was also the various wildlife including lots of dolphins tracking the yacht, encountering other vessels (including a Royal Navy nuclear submarine).”